Ask Dr. P

What really works for fighting colds?

I don't know about you but I was hit hard by THE cold this year. Cold season is the perfect time to put my training in integrative medicine to work. Of course prevention is the best medicine so let me start by giving you some tips for cold prevention:

1. Wash your hands. You know this already but it really is the most important thing you can do to avoid getting germs. Also, keep your hands away from your mouth and nose to keep from getting and spreading germs.
2. Get a flu shot. It doesn't prevent you from getting the yearly viruses that come around but it should prevent you from getting the flu (fever, aches, etc.). If you are a health care provider or work with children or the elderly this is a must.
3. Use astragalus. This botanical is used for immune support. It is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as part of a tonic (to support general health). You can take it in capsule form or put it in your soup (it is a root and looks like a tongue depressor). I always add it to my soups. It should not be used once you get sick. See recipe below.
4. Use medicinal mushrooms. The best mushrooms to cook with are shiitake and maitake; they both offer wonderful immune support and taste good. (See recipe below.) I also recommend a supplement that is a combination of many different medicinal mushrooms called Host Defense from New Chapter.
5. Try fresh garlic. Eat as much fresh garlic as you can at the first sign of a cold or for prevention. Garlic has antiviral and antibacterial properties. You may be stinky and you will sweat a lot but it does help prevent colds. Garlic has been found to decrease the number of colds by two thirds in some studies. It can cause nausea so eat something with it. Try fresh pesto or hummus, they both contain raw garlic. Don't take with blood thinners.
6. Vitamin C doesn't work so well. Despite popular belief the research really does not support the use of vitamin C. If you must, try 1000mg a day. Avoid "nutritional" beverages and powdered supplements that contain sugar. Just take a Vitamin C supplement.

 

If you end up getting THE cold, here are some things that have been found to decrease the number of days you will have your cold:

1. Rest. Yes, you need stop and take care of yourself. Your cold will not last as long and your family, colleagues and friends will thank you for not sharing your germs. Your body needs a chance to heal itself, rest.
2. Drink lots of hot fluids. Not only do you need to hydrate yourself but the hot fluids will help open up your nasal passages and move mucus. Add honey if you have a cough or sore throat.
3. Try Echinacea. This herb should be used once you feel like you are getting a cold, not for prevention. Take it right when symptoms begin, three times a day or as directed on the label. There are a lot of poor quality products out there so try one of these that have been clinically tested: Echinaforce®, EchinaGuard®, and Echinacea Plus® tea by Traditional Medicinals. Don't use more than 2 weeks.
4. Try zinc lozenges. Look for products with 9-24 mg of zinc per lozenge. Take every 2-3 hours and allow the lozenge to dissolve, don't chew it. Don't use for more than 1 to 2 weeks -it can suppress the immune system.
5. If you think you have the flu you could try Tamiflu. If you have a fever and the aches you may be coming down with the flu. An antiviral will decrease the duration of the flu by 2-3 days. If you must keep going, this might help. Tamiflu is available by prescription only. Carefully consider the side effects before taking.